Initial Language Questions

Our Initial Questions About Language and/or Teaching Language

Note: For Class 4, you are to revise your initial question so that it represents a "good" question drawing on our discussion of what makes a good question a good question from Class 3. See the Characteristics of Good Questions wiki page to help inform your revisions! As you revise, do not write over your old question -- instead, add your revision beside it and designate it as your revision.

• How can we define language? (Stephanie Hairyes)

  • Because we define language using several definitions, how do we know what definition is best to use? Should we even define language?

• What are some ways that I can prevent my weaknesses in language from affecting my students? -Britt J

  • What tools and methods can I develop to ensure that my students will not be effected by my weaknesses in language? (Revised) -Britt J

• What are ways to differentiate between in-school and outside of school language? - Name?

• What are some resources we can use to reach out to ELL students? - Name?

• How can we correct our students without squashing them? - Rachel

  • How can we encourage positive changes and correct our student's errors without damaging their self esteem? (revised)

• How do we get our students not to hate our class when we are teaching grammar?- Hailee

  • How can we as educators create a classroom environment and lesson plans that foster student interest while still covering the needed curriculum? -Hailee (Revised!)

• How can we teach language in a way that will not bore anyone, nor leave anyone behind? - Name?

• What are some ways in which I can get students interested in the classic works? - Amanda

  • In what ways can I keep students interested in not only reading, but understanding the importance of classic works? (Amanda - REVISED)
  • Amanda, Good question with regard to teaching literature. What question might you pose with regard to teaching language? - Dr. Y

• How can we make time to study obscure grammar rules? - Rachel

  • - As a teacher, what will be the best way to brush up on my own grammar so I can ensure that my students receive the best instruction possible? (revised)

• What do you if a student has better grammar than you? - Tyler

  • Revision?

• What ways can students learn language through technology? - Pryscilla

  • What ways can teachers use technology to enhance the teaching and learning of language in the ELA classroom? (Pryscilla-revised)

• How might we teach language to ELL students? - Robin

  • What language skills need to be taught to ELL students it get them up to everyone else in the class? (revised) - Robin

• Where do we start with a "language lesson" or how do we figure out what our kids already know? (Jade)

  • What kinds of assessments can we as teachers do to figure out what our students already know about language and where we should start teaching it? (Jade-REVISED)

• Where is a good starting point when it comes to teaching the students the importance of language? (Samantha)

  • Where should teachers begin when explaining to students the importance of language besides traditional grammar? (Samantha-revised)

• How will I know if I am incorporating all of my standards into teaching language with out it being boring to my students? (Paige)

  • What are some good strategies and techniques, such as 21st century tools, that I can use to help keep my students engaged, while teaching the standards? (Paige-Revised)

• What do we do about the language barrier between us and the ELL students? How can we give them everything they need? (Kelsey)

  • Revised question?

• How do I balance teaching language effectively, coming up with fun activities, meeting the standards in enough time on top of all the first-year teacher duties and stress? (Stephanie S.)

  • Revised question? (Consider focusing some.)

• Where do I draw line as far as embracing and appreciating the language that my students come to class with and teaching Standard American English? (Hannah)

  • In what ways can I embrace the language that my students use in their everyday life, but still teach code switching? (Hannah-Revised)

• How can I implement web 2.0 tools in order to teach English Language Arts to my students? (Stephanie C.)

  • Which web 2.0 tools will help me effectively teach English Language Arts to my students? (Stephanie C. - Revised)

• How do we find the balance between teaching literature, writing, and grammar in our lessons? (Alexandra G.)

  • What are some methods we can use to balance our teaching of literature, writing, and grammar in out lessons? (Alexandra G-REVISED)

• How can we make teaching language fun and exciting? (Mary)

  • What activities can we do with our students that will contextualize language, and be fun? (Mary W- REVISED)

• How can we use technology in teaching language? How do we teach our students to use language appropriately with technology (facebook and aim v. scholarly writing)? (Michelle)

  • How can we teach our students metalinguistic skills in order to aid them in using language effectively throughout different facets of their lives? (Michelle - Revised)

• How can we incorporate teaching about dialect and make it interesting (and also not offend parents)? (Stephanie D)

  • Note: Revised question is on linked page.
• How do I explain code-switching to my students? (Kaitlyn K)
  • Revised question?

• How can I make literature appealing for students who have absolutely no interest in reading? (Josh)

  • What are some methods or strategies that I can use to help me engage my students with the literature we are studying?

• What types of assignments would be good to assign to allow me to see what kind of language students already know and use? (Britany Waddell)

  • What types of language assessment assignments will I implement in my classroom, based on what I learned from the textbook readings? -BW revised